September 2021

**MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY 9/30 AT 11:00 AM PT // 2:00 PM ET**

TODAY: Protect Our Care California and Local Advocates Host “Die-In” at Rep. Scott Peters’ Office to Protest Opposition to Medicare Negotiation

90% of CA-52 Voters Support Allowing Medicare to Negotiate Drug Prices with Pharma Companies; 75% Think Drug Prices Are Unreasonable

San Diego, CA — On Thursday, September 30 at 11:00 AM PT // 2:00 PM ET, Protect Our Care California SoCal Advocate Natalie Smith will join the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and local patients and advocates for a die-in outside U.S. Representative Scott Peters’ (D-CA-52) office. This event will feature a sidewalk chalk mural depicting drug prices and tombstones representing the thousands of seniors who will die in the coming year due to a lack of access to affordable medicines. Also, a Grim Reaper will appear urging Rep. Peters to stand up to the demands of drug companies and deliver on his promises to work for and safeguard his constituents and all Americans. 

The Die-In comes as Congress is closing in on a budget agreement that will transform the lives of American families nationwide. President Biden and the Democrats are leading the charge to include Medicare negotiation and other critical health care priorities in the Build Back Better package. Still, the fight is not over: Big Pharma has ramped up lobbying and scare tactics to protect its profits and lie to the American people. This event calls on Rep. Peters to do the right thing for San Diegans and people across the country when the final bill goes to the House floor.

RALLY: 

WHO:
Natalie Smith, Protect Our Care California SoCal Advocate
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Local Patients and Advocates

WHAT: Protect Our Care California to Host Die-In With Local Advocates in Protest of Representative Scott Peters’ Decision to Vote Against Medicare Negotiation

WHERE: 4350 Executive Drive, Suite 105, San Diego, CA 92121

WHEN: Today, Thursday, September 30, at 11:00 AM PT // 2:00 PM ET

The Arizona Public Health Association’s Will Humble Says Arizonans Are Being “Ripped Off” and Urges Senator Sinema to Support Medicare Negotiation

Listen to the Radio Ad Here

Washington, DC — Protect Our Care announced a new radio ad today calling for Senator Sinema to meet the demands of her constituents and support giving Medicare the power to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices. The ad features Will Humble, the Executive Director for the Arizona Public Health Association, who explains that Arizonans pay three times more for drugs than people in other countries while Big Pharma continues to rake in record profits and hike prices on Americans. Humble makes clear that giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower prices is the solution to the broken drug pricing system. Democrats’ proposal to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices is supported by 90% of all Americans and remains central to President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda.

The ad comes as Congress is closing in on a budget agreement that will transform the lives of American families nationwide. President Biden and Democrats are leading the charge to include Medicare negotiation and other key health care priorities in the Build Back Better package, but the fight is not over: Big Pharma is fighting back with lobbying and scare tactics to protect its profits and lie to the American people. The ad makes clear that Senator Sinema must support the health care provisions of the Build Back Better Act, including giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices for all Americans.  The ad will run in Phoenix for the next week.

“Arizonians from all walks of life are fed up with skyrocketing drug prices, and they are calling on Senator Sinema to do the right thing by allowing Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “Will Humble knows the drug pricing system is broken and Arizonans are getting ripped off. Congress is closer than ever to reining in Big Pharma’s greed, but with Republicans already bought and paid for, every Democrat needs to get on board and pass the Build Back Better legislation now.” 

Script for Will Humble Ad (60s):

I’m going to come right out and say it – the American people are getting ripped off. 

Hello. My name is Will Humble. I’m the Executive Director of the Arizona Public Health Association. 

Decades ago, Congress passed a law that prohibits Medicare from negotiating lower drug prices from the drug companies.  They prohibit it. 

They gave a sweet deal to the drug companies to dictate the prices to us – to have the power of a monopoly.

It’s not fair. It’s not right. And we finally have a solution.

We’re close to passing a plan that will give Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices.

To get it done, we need Senator Sinema to stand up for seniors, stand up for working people and stand up for patients. 

We’ve been getting ripped off. Now there is a market based solution – letting Medicare negotiate.

Call Senator Sinema at (602) 598-7327. Tell her we need her support.

MEMORANDUM
TO: Interested Parties
FR: Protect Our Care
DT: September 30, 2021
RE: #1 Item in Build Back Better is Prescription Drug Prices

Congress continues to debate whether to give Medicare the power to negotiate lower prescription drug prices or keep the monopoly in place where drug companies dictate the prices for patients. 

While Congress debates and Big Pharma tries to threaten political retribution, the American people have already spoken.

According to polls conducted by four of the top pollsters in the Democratic Party, the #1 element of President Biden’s Build Back Better budget is giving Medicare the power to negotiate prescription drug prices.

See for yourself.

1. NEW. ALG Polling’s John Anzalone recently conducted a survey across 48 battleground congressional districts for Build Back Together.  From the memo:

“Allowing Medicare to negotiate lower prices was the most popular of the 16 components of the Build Back Better plan tested. Over two-thirds of battleground district voters (71%) say this component makes them more likely to support the reconciliation plan. It is especially popular with seniors, but also the most popular component among both Independents and those voters who are persuadable on the reconciliation plan.”

2. Geoff Garin of Hart Research recently completed a national survey for Protect Our Care which found Medicare negotiating lower prices for prescription drugs was the most important element in driving support for the Build Back Better package (65%). From the report:

3. Global Strategy Group and GBAO recently completed a regular survey for Navigator Research that found Medicare negotiating to bring down the cost of prescription drugs was the most popular element with 86% support. From their report: 

PHOTOS: Continued Action to Advocate for Lower Costs & Better Care As Congress Closes In On Budget Agreement

Lite-Brite Display and Mobile Billboards Highlighted the Urgency to Pass Medicare Negotiation and Lower Drug Prices for All Americans

This week, Protect Our Care continued its events and activities calling on Congress to deliver lower costs and better care to American families by passing all of President Biden’s health care priorities in the Build Back Better budget package. Congress is now closing in on a budget agreement that will transform the lives of American families nationwide. President Biden and Democrats are leading the charge to include Medicare negotiation and other key health care priorities in the Build Back Better package, but the fight is not over: Big Pharma is ramping up its lobbying and scare tactics to protect its profits and lie to the American people. These activities will make clear that this is not the time for half measures; Congress must act now to give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices for all Americans.

NATIONAL

LITE-BRITE: Protect Our Care hosted a Lite-Brite demonstration with activists outside of PhRMA’s headquarters in D.C. to call for an end to Big Pharma’s greed which forces millions of patients to choose between affording rent and groceries, or paying for their prescription drug costs. As Congress is in the midst of negotiating a final budget agreement, the event made clear that this is not the time for half measures, and Congress must act now to give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices for all Americans.

For more photos, click here. 

MOBILE BILLBOARD: A mobile billboard circled Capitol Hill and Nationals Park during the Congressional Baseball Game urging lawmakers to support giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices in the upcoming budget legislation. The mobile billboard specifically called on U.S. Representatives Scott Peters (D-CA-52), Kathleen Rice (D-NY-04), and Kurt Schrader (D-OR-05) to meet the demands of their constituents and vote in favor of Medicare negotiation. These lawmakers recently voted against negotiation in committee, but they still have the chance to support the final bill when it comes to the House floor.

CALIFORNIA
SOUND TRUCK: A mobile billboard and sound truck sponsored by Protect Our Care appeared at Rep. Scott Peters’ Office. The mobile billboard and sound truck broadcasted a radio ad calling out the congressman for his recent vote against giving Medicare the power to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices for all Americans — a proposal supported by 94% of all Americans, and 9 in 10 voters in his district. Medicare negotiation is central to President Biden’s Build Back Better proposal.

House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn & Rep. Lauren Underwood Join Protect Our Care to Discuss Urgent Need to Lower Health Costs & Expand Coverage in Budget Package

Lawmakers Joined Health Care Storytellers to Discuss Closing the Medicaid Coverage Gap & Making American Rescue Plan Subsidies Permanent in Upcoming Budget Legislation 

Listen to the Call Here. 

Washington, DC — Today, U.S. House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-SC-06) and U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) joined Protect Our Care and health care storytellers for a virtual press conference to discuss the urgent need to close the Medicaid coverage gap and make the American Rescue Plan’s premium tax credits permanent in upcoming budget legislation. During the call, speakers made clear that these steps to expand coverage and reduce costs will transform health care for millions of working families and that Congress must act now to pass these historic measures. An estimated seven million people would gain coverage as a result of these two policies alone. 

President Biden included both of these measures as part of the Build Back Better proposal, but as Congress continues to negotiate, it is essential they remain in the final package. Polling shows strong, unwavering support among voters across the political spectrum for all of the Build Back Better health care priorities.

“Today, 12 states still have not expanded Medicaid, and one of those 12 happens to be my home state of South Carolina where 200,000 of my fellow South Carolinians are uninsured who would be eligible for Medicaid if our state expanded — 100,000 of them fall into the so-called coverage gap,” said House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn. “Today, we have an opportunity to do something about this and we ought not wait on somebody else to do it. I think it would be un-American of us to leave citizens in these 12 states behind as we go on to improve other parts of health care services in our country. I’m hopeful that as we move forward, we do what is necessary to bring those people into coverage.” 

“Health care is a right, not a privilege, and we must advance universal coverage and health equity in the Build Back Better Act. Thanks to the two-year version of my Health Care Affordability Act that was included in the American Rescue Plan, we’ve cut our nation’s uninsured rate, provided substantial savings for individuals and families, and taken the most significant step towards health equity since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law. But if we fail to act now and make the advance premium tax credit expansion permanent, all of this progress will be wiped out in just two years,” said Representative Lauren Underwood. “We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make high-quality health care affordable and accessible to all; the American people are counting on us to get this done, and we must deliver.”

“For several years, my three daughters and I went without health care and insurance because I could not afford it. It was a difficult and unacceptable space that many other lower-income American families are currently in,” said Carrie Duran, a Medicaid expansion recipient from New Hampshire. “Thanks to expanded Medicaid in my state, I no longer have to deny myself and my family health care. I urge lawmakers in states without expanded Medicaid to think of the importance of assisting lower-income families and to support ending the coverage gap.”

“Far too many Americans are struggling to afford health care in this country,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “More than two million people are locked out of coverage entirely in 12 states that have rejected Medicaid expansion, and millions more stand to benefit from reducing health care costs for people purchasing coverage on their own — including older adults, farmers, middle-class business owners and more. These steps are essential to reducing stark racial disparities in health coverage and ensuring people have access to the care they need during the pandemic and for years to come.”

**MEDIA ADVISORY FOR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 AT 2:30 PM ET**

Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux to Highlight How Historic Health Care Investments, Including Medicaid Saves Lives Act, in Democrats’ Budget Legislation Will Impact Georgians 

Atlanta, GA — On Wednesday, September 29, 2:30 PM ET, U.S. Representative Carolyn Bourdeaux (D-GA-07) and local advocates will join Protect Our Care Georgia for a virtual press conference to highlight how Medicaid Saves Lives Act and other healthcare provisions will lower costs and expand access to health care in Georgia and across the country. 

Expanding access to quality, affordable health care has never been more critical. The pandemic has laid bare the high costs and alarming inequities in our health care system, and it has demonstrated that health care must be a right, not a privilege. President Biden and Democrats in Congress are fighting to make this a reality in Georgia, by working to include historic health care provisions, such as Medicaid Saves Lives Act, in their budget reconciliation legislation.

President Biden’s Build Back Better proposal includes driving down prescription drug prices, expanding Medicare benefits to include vision, dental, and hearing, closing the Medicaid coverage gap, and dramatically lowering the cost of health insurance for millions.

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Representative Carolyn Bourdeaux (D-GA-07)
Amy Bielawski, Small Business Majority
Elaine Shelly, Atlanta writer, teacher living with MS
Harry Heiman, MD, MPH, board member, Georgians for a Healthy Future
Leonard Lichtenfeld, MD, MACP, Atlanta-based oncologist and internist 

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference to Highlight Lifesaving Health Care Legislation

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Wednesday, September 29 at 2:30 PM ET

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 AT 10:30 AM ET // 9:30 AM CT***

PRESS CALL: House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn & Rep. Lauren Underwood, Health Care Storytellers Join Protect Our Care to Discuss Urgent Need to Lower Health Costs & Expand Coverage In Budget Package

Closing the Medicaid Coverage Gap & Making American Rescue Plan Subsidies Permanent Would Expand Coverage to Seven Million People

Washington, DC — On Wednesday, September 29 at 10:30 AM ET // 9:30 AM CT, U.S. House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-SC-06) will join U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) and Protect Our Care for a virtual press conference to discuss the urgent need to close the Medicaid coverage gap and make the American Rescue Plan’s premium tax credits permanent in upcoming budget legislation. President Biden included these measures as part of the Build Back Better proposal, but as Congress continues to negotiate, it is essential these provisions remain in the final package. Poll shows strong, unwavering support among voters across the political spectrum for the Build Back Better health care priorities.

Americans from all walks of life are struggling to afford health care in this country. More than two million people are locked out of coverage entirely in 12 states that have rejected Medicaid expansion. And millions more stand to benefit from reducing health care costs for people purchasing coverage through the ACA marketplaces. These steps are essential to reducing racial disparities in health coverage and ensuring people have access to the care they need during the pandemic and beyond. 

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Representative James E. Clyburn (D-SC-06), House Majority Whip
U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14)
Carrie Duran, Medicaid expansion recipient from NH
Himali Patel, ARP tax credit recipient from GA
Brad Woodhouse, Executive Director of Protect Our Care

WHAT: Press Call to Discuss Urgent Need to Lower Health Costs & Expand Coverage In Budget Package

WHERE: Dial In: 877-229-8493, PIN: 118261

WHEN: Wednesday, September 29 at 10:30 AM ET // 9:30 AM CT

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 AT 3:15 PM ET // 2:15 PM CT***

HAPPENING SOON: PRESS CALL: U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, Former HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Dr. Joshua Sharfstein of Johns Hopkins, Protect Our Care Sound the Alarm on Impact of Government Shutdown Amidst Pandemic

Washington, D.C. — On Tuesday, September 28 at 3:15 PM ET // 2:15 PM CT, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Former HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Joshua Sharfstein of Johns Hopkins, and Protect Our Care’s Coronavirus War Room will hold a virtual press conference to discuss the ramifications of Republicans dangerous willingness to shut down the government during the ongoing pandemic. 

Republicans are threatening to shut down the government in the middle of a pandemic where 120,000 people a day are being infected by COVID-19 and 2,000 people a day are dying. This is part of a larger pattern of Republican lawmakers and officials who have worked to sabotage proven effective measures such as mask and vaccine mandates, have pushed conspiracy theories and disinformation that would harm—not protect—those most vulnerable and have attacked science and experts like Dr. Fauci.

PRESS CALL:

WHO:
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)
Kathleen Sebelius, Former Secretary of Health and Human Services
Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, Professor of the Practice in Health Policy and Management
Brad Woodhouse, Executive Director, Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference on the consequences of Republicans Risking Government Shutdown Amidst a Pandemic

WHERE: Register for the Event Here

WHEN: Tuesday, September 28 at 3:15 PM ET // 2:15 PM CT

***FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY***

ADVISORY: Protect Our Care Hosts Lite-Brite Demonstration & Mobile Billboard in Nation’s Capital Calling on Lawmakers to Pass Medicare Negotiation Now

POC Will Sponsor Lite-Brite Display Outside of PhRMA Headquarters & Mobile Billboard on Capitol Hill to Demonstrate the Urgency to Lower Drug Prices for Americans

Washington, DC — Today, Protect Our Care will host a Lite-Brite demonstration outside of PhRMA’s headquarters in D.C. making clear that it’s time to put an end to drug company greed and put patients first. And, tomorrow, a mobile billboard will circle Capitol Hill urging lawmakers to support giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices in the upcoming budget legislation. The mobile billboard specifically calls on U.S. Representatives Scott Peters (D-CA-52), Kathleen Rice (D-NY-04), and Kurt Schrader (D-OR-05) to meet the demands of their constituents and vote in favor of Medicare negotiation. These lawmakers recently voted against negotiation in committee, but they still have the chance to support the final bill when it comes to the House floor. 

This week, Congress is closing in on a budget agreement that will transform the lives of American families nationwide. President Biden and Democrats are leading the charge to include Medicare negotiation and other key health care priorities in the Build Back Better package, but the fight is not over: Big Pharma is ramping up its lobbying and scare tactics to protect its profits and lie to the American people. These activities will make clear that this is not the time for half measures; Congress must act now to give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices for all Americans. 

TUESDAY

WHAT: Lite-Brite Display in Front of PhRMA’s Headquarters

WHEN: Tuesday, September 28 at 8:30 PM ET

WHERE: 950 F St NW, Washington, D.C., 20004

WEDNESDAY

WHAT: Mobile Billboard (MBB) on Capitol Hill Urging Lawmakers to Do the Right Thing and Bring Down Drug Prices 

WHEN: Wednesday, September 29 between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM ET

WHERE: Capitol Hill, Capitol Complex Area